Squabble over slots raises stink in Panaji fish market

PANAJI: The Panaji fish market witnessed unruly scenes and remained closed for most part of Monday after a dispute broke out between two groups of vendors. The vendors who operate from within the market and those who sell on the road outside had a heated argument after the latter refused to leave by their allotted time of 9.30am.

The latter, who sell fish caught by traditional fishermen-ramponkars-argued that the catch they sell depends entirely on the tides and adhering to a pre-set time was therefore not feasible.

The market-based vendors then took a morcha to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) where they complained to commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues and mayor Vaidehi Naik that the other group was affecting their business.

They further claimed that the 18 road-operating vendors were also obstructing traffic and messing up the place.

Asserting that this situation would not have arisen had the late ramponkar leader and Cortalim MLA Matanhy Saldanha still been alive, the road-operating vendors accused the CCP of supporting non-Goan fisherfolk over Goan fisherfolk.

Menino D'Souza, a ramponkar, told TOI, "We won't move from the area even if they use force." The 'ramponkar' vendors enjoy the support of CCP ward 2 councillor Nazareth Cabral as several live in that ward.

Pointing out that there were "various angles" to be looked at in this issue, the CCP commissioner said the number of fish sellers on the road had been increasing and this was leading to haphazardness and inaccessible parking among other problems.

He said those selling their fish outside the market were getting undisciplined by not following the timings set and this was affecting around 150-200 fish vendors operating inside the market. If retail continues outside the market, the concept of a market is lost, said Rodrigues.

The CCP has proposed that those selling fish outside should wind up by 9.30am and move to slots inside the market. The sellers are adamant though, and it is to be seen what the CCP ultimately does.